I’m a Canadian who reads the local news to keep informed about what is happening in my community. I actively avoid reading articles which seem biased (where the reporter is not willing to look at various sides of an issue). So often this type of article seems to feature one angry person who sees themselves as a victim of an institution, business, segment of society or country. No analysis or questioning of that perspective is generally provided by the journalist. The offending group is assumed to be guilty. I skip these stories and I believe my perspective about people and society is healthier and more positive because I do.
Recently I was very close to cancelling our daily subscription to a national paper ( that we have had for 30 years) because over the past few years the journalism has, in my opinion, not been up to previous standards. In the past I enjoyed reading news stories, opinion pieces and editorials that did not always express the same ideas or opinions. My husband and I would often debate after reading an opinion piece. However, during the first years of the pandemic the opinions expressed in many articles were no longer very interesting because they were all markedly similar. There was a lack of critical thinking or willingness the admit that the other “side” might be right about a few things or that certain widely held views about the past might not be totally accurate. Lately though, I am noticing a slight change for the better.
I appreciate Tara’s piece today because I have been introduced to thinkers and writers whose work I can explore further. I want the news to make me think and I am very willing to be challenged by new ideas. I have enjoyed following the work of many of the courageous and brilliant guests on the Lean Out Podcast. Thank goodness Sub stack exists so these folks can continue to write fearlessly and still make a living. I look forward to Weekend Reads every week… Thank you Tara.
The NY Times lost its way at least 20 years ago with Judith Miller and Jayson Blair. I’m not sure why anyone would still give their journalism any consideration, especially with so many available alternatives. And Twitter, that’s just government psyops for hire. C’mon people.
Do you think that things will change now that Musk owns Twitter? Maybe some of the unraveling of the "consensus" has to do with the knowledge that Twitter might not be a blunt instrument of destruction any longer?
This is hopeful, but will you forgive me if I remain a bit skeptical still? I mean a national news cycle now claiming that MAGA Republicans are trying to kill the Democrat speaker of the house... while nothing about the attack includes any evidence other than him being a semi-homeless psychotic drug addict that have become the top demographic living in that once beautiful city. Now, to credit the point about Substack getting it right, Michael Shellenberger has done a real investigative bit on it. But he is one and the MSM mob is at it again.
My sense of all of this is that there is a great mental and emotional health problem perpetuated though the education system that has resulted in the afflicted infecting journalism, HR and marketing... and other mid-management corporate jobs. If we turn off their networking capability, doesn't the foundation problem still exist?
I really worry that Substack will be purchased by the billionaire oligarchs soon so they can get back to pushing this woke chaos into the system because it helps them advance their globalist agenda.
To steal and modify a quotation I saw a very long time ago:
“Comments on Twitter are as useful to the world as a bicycle is to a fish.”
Twitter staff members seem to consider working over eight hours per week as overtime in San Francisco. Perhaps walking or riding to work through human excrement rates hazardous duty pay as well.
I lived and worked in San Francisco, all while staying at a wonderful B&B on Castro Street in the ‘80s; I desperately wanted to locate there permanently. Now, no amount of compensation could entice me to return!
Retired now but my career included 20 years in leadership positions. I was a servant leader in that I worked for my teams, helping them succeed. One of my normal activities was team building / development days aimed at building relationships and skills. My earliest attempts at this were often difficult to keep on track because of disruptive / distraught individuals wasting time with concerns that apparently everyone had. To validate this I started handed out structured evaluation forms at the beginning of each day long session. Each individual had the opportunity to score (0-10) and comment on each of the days topics. What was revealed was what I expected, 90-95% of participants valued and enjoyed the day. To help the loud minority to grasp where they were relative to their peers, I published the scores and comments verbatim, spelling mistakes and all. The disruption would cease after this. I believe this is the case in society, except no one is holding this loud minority to account, in fact, the loud minority is wielding ridiculous amounts of influence. Hopefully Musk can end this nonsense on twitter.
In the West we must celebrate the good things about our societies, like Halloween, and also out of love criticize the things that are clearly dysfunctional like our political systems.
Now, off to carve some pumpkins and get my costume ready for the trick or treating kids tomorrow.
The authoritarian left, led by institutions like the NY Times, tried to censor anyone deviating from the party line.
We can expect another effort by the same players if there are no consequences to their treachery. The New York Times has to close its doors and never publish again. That is the only solution, let's not kid ourselves.
Great piece. I certainly hope you are right about the "great unraveling."
I’m a Canadian who reads the local news to keep informed about what is happening in my community. I actively avoid reading articles which seem biased (where the reporter is not willing to look at various sides of an issue). So often this type of article seems to feature one angry person who sees themselves as a victim of an institution, business, segment of society or country. No analysis or questioning of that perspective is generally provided by the journalist. The offending group is assumed to be guilty. I skip these stories and I believe my perspective about people and society is healthier and more positive because I do.
Recently I was very close to cancelling our daily subscription to a national paper ( that we have had for 30 years) because over the past few years the journalism has, in my opinion, not been up to previous standards. In the past I enjoyed reading news stories, opinion pieces and editorials that did not always express the same ideas or opinions. My husband and I would often debate after reading an opinion piece. However, during the first years of the pandemic the opinions expressed in many articles were no longer very interesting because they were all markedly similar. There was a lack of critical thinking or willingness the admit that the other “side” might be right about a few things or that certain widely held views about the past might not be totally accurate. Lately though, I am noticing a slight change for the better.
I appreciate Tara’s piece today because I have been introduced to thinkers and writers whose work I can explore further. I want the news to make me think and I am very willing to be challenged by new ideas. I have enjoyed following the work of many of the courageous and brilliant guests on the Lean Out Podcast. Thank goodness Sub stack exists so these folks can continue to write fearlessly and still make a living. I look forward to Weekend Reads every week… Thank you Tara.
Very well stated, Yohanna. I share your perspective and appreciate your open- and fair-mindedness, as well as your curiosity.
Absolutely LOVED this piece. Thank you. 🔥
The NY Times lost its way at least 20 years ago with Judith Miller and Jayson Blair. I’m not sure why anyone would still give their journalism any consideration, especially with so many available alternatives. And Twitter, that’s just government psyops for hire. C’mon people.
Yeah, the only time i hear anything about NYT is when it is critiqued by the alternative press... otherwise why would anyone go there??
Do you think that things will change now that Musk owns Twitter? Maybe some of the unraveling of the "consensus" has to do with the knowledge that Twitter might not be a blunt instrument of destruction any longer?
Exactly what Matt Taibbi and Walter Kirn were saying... time to tighten up the narrative... get rid of the loose ends....
The best thing that Musk could do for Twitter is move it to Texas.
This is hopeful, but will you forgive me if I remain a bit skeptical still? I mean a national news cycle now claiming that MAGA Republicans are trying to kill the Democrat speaker of the house... while nothing about the attack includes any evidence other than him being a semi-homeless psychotic drug addict that have become the top demographic living in that once beautiful city. Now, to credit the point about Substack getting it right, Michael Shellenberger has done a real investigative bit on it. But he is one and the MSM mob is at it again.
My sense of all of this is that there is a great mental and emotional health problem perpetuated though the education system that has resulted in the afflicted infecting journalism, HR and marketing... and other mid-management corporate jobs. If we turn off their networking capability, doesn't the foundation problem still exist?
I really worry that Substack will be purchased by the billionaire oligarchs soon so they can get back to pushing this woke chaos into the system because it helps them advance their globalist agenda.
To steal and modify a quotation I saw a very long time ago:
“Comments on Twitter are as useful to the world as a bicycle is to a fish.”
Twitter staff members seem to consider working over eight hours per week as overtime in San Francisco. Perhaps walking or riding to work through human excrement rates hazardous duty pay as well.
I lived and worked in San Francisco, all while staying at a wonderful B&B on Castro Street in the ‘80s; I desperately wanted to locate there permanently. Now, no amount of compensation could entice me to return!
Tillman
Retired now but my career included 20 years in leadership positions. I was a servant leader in that I worked for my teams, helping them succeed. One of my normal activities was team building / development days aimed at building relationships and skills. My earliest attempts at this were often difficult to keep on track because of disruptive / distraught individuals wasting time with concerns that apparently everyone had. To validate this I started handed out structured evaluation forms at the beginning of each day long session. Each individual had the opportunity to score (0-10) and comment on each of the days topics. What was revealed was what I expected, 90-95% of participants valued and enjoyed the day. To help the loud minority to grasp where they were relative to their peers, I published the scores and comments verbatim, spelling mistakes and all. The disruption would cease after this. I believe this is the case in society, except no one is holding this loud minority to account, in fact, the loud minority is wielding ridiculous amounts of influence. Hopefully Musk can end this nonsense on twitter.
Wonderful piece! Washington Examiner just ran this Opinion piece… you’re correct…things are changing…
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/restoring-america/community-family/when-did-biology-get-so-complicated
Thank you. We, the readers, depend upon the press to search for the truth.
Bravo!
In the West we must celebrate the good things about our societies, like Halloween, and also out of love criticize the things that are clearly dysfunctional like our political systems.
Now, off to carve some pumpkins and get my costume ready for the trick or treating kids tomorrow.
You hit the mail in the head with this piece. 💯
More truth published. Less f*cks given about Twitter. Win-win!
The authoritarian left, led by institutions like the NY Times, tried to censor anyone deviating from the party line.
We can expect another effort by the same players if there are no consequences to their treachery. The New York Times has to close its doors and never publish again. That is the only solution, let's not kid ourselves.
huu raaah!!